How did your lopsided math/science student do in admissions?

jmgradon
Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:51:13 +0000

My S was a lopsided applicant this year. He got basically all A’s in math and science and B’s in English and German but attended a well known science and technology high school, which also helped. He got a 2350 on his SAT I (2340 on one sitting, 800 on math and critical reading) and 800 on his SAT II in Math2, Physics and Chemistry. 5’s on all his AP tests, all in science, CS or math, except AP U.S. History, where he also got a 5. His weighted GPA was 4.262 but about 3.8 unweighted given the above mentioned B’s. He applied to Caltech and MIT early action, and Amherst, Reed, Cornell and William & Mary regular decision. He got in everywhere except MIT. Lessons? He was clearly attractive to the STEM schools given his science background, but somewhat less competitive at MIT than Caltech since MIT emphasizes diversity and he is a white male. His Caltech essay was also a lot better than the short answers he did for the MIT application, which can make a difference when admissions officers are trying to distinguish between large numbers of equally accomplished applicants. I think he was also attractive to the LAC’s because of his science orientation. They look to balance their student bodies and want to make sure they take in students who stand a good chance of majoring in math or the sciences.